CA Notary Prep / California notary fees (2026)

California notary fees (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on the 2026 California Notary Public Handbook

California sets the most a notary may charge for each act. The figures below are the ones in the January 2026 handbook, which the exam is based on, followed by the increase reported for January 1, 2027.

Short answer Up to $15 per signature for an acknowledgment, $15 for an oath and jurat, $30 for a deposition plus $7 for the oath and $7 for the certificate, and $15 for a certified copy of a power of attorney. Some acts must be free.

Maximum fees in 2026 (Government Code §8211)

Acknowledgment or proof (seal and certificate included)	$15 per signature
Oath or affirmation to one person, with jurat	$15
All services for a deposition	$30, plus $7 to swear the witness and $7 for the certificate
Certified copy of a power of attorney	$15
Immigration forms (only if qualified and bonded as an immigration consultant)	$15 per person for each set of forms, plus notarial fees
Copy of a journal line item for the public	$0.30 per page

Acts you must do for free

Vote-by-mail ballot identification envelopes and other voting materials.
A US military veteran's application or claim for a pension, allotment, allowance, compensation, insurance or other benefit.
Nomination documents and circulator's affidavits.
Notaries on military and naval reservations charge no fees at all.

You may always charge less than the maximum, or nothing, unless your fees belong to a public agency or your employer agreement says otherwise. Record the fee in your journal even when it is zero.

The 2027 increase (AB 1597)

Assembly Bill 1597, chaptered in 2026, is reported to raise the caps on January 1, 2027. These figures come from legislative trackers and are not yet in the official handbook:

Acknowledgment or proof	$15 to $20 per signature
Oath and jurat	$15 to $20
Deposition	$30 to $35, oath $7 to $12, certificate $7 to $12
Certified copy of a power of attorney	$15 to $20

For the exam: questions are based on the handbook in force when you test. If you take the exam in 2026, learn the $15 figures. Check the edition of the handbook on sos.ca.gov before an exam in 2027.

Overcharging

Charging more than these maximums is a ground for refusal, suspension or revocation of a commission, and can bring a civil penalty of up to $750.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a California notary charge per signature?

Up to $15 per signature for an acknowledgment or proof, including the seal and certificate. A reported increase to $20 takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Can a California notary charge for notarizing a veteran's benefits form?

No. Notarizing a US military veteran's application or claim for a pension, allowance, compensation, insurance or other benefit must be free, as are vote-by-mail ballot identification envelopes and other voting materials.

Can a California notary charge travel fees?

Travel fees are not a notarial fee. They must be recorded separately in the journal from the notarial fee.

What happens if a California notary overcharges?

Charging more than the law allows is a ground for discipline and can bring a civil penalty of up to $750.